Nomination Form
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This award is based on an individual musical performance on a solo album or solo single release by a solo artist or named front woman.*Submission should include name of artist and name of eligible song released 2015-2018, a video clip (optional) of this song being performed live and a concisely written statement as to why this artist is deserving.
Flight deck to a stage and onto the CMA's...
Sailor Jerri is a Navy Veteran and Country Music Artist from central Minnesota. While serving in the US Navy she worked as an Aviation Mechanic on F/A 18's with the VFA 83 Rampagers.
Jerri started playing guitar and singing for the long term care at the VA, and in veteran support groups. In April of 2017 she wrote and posted "Hallelujah Veterans Version" In just a year it was viewed over 150 million times, and downloaded in 22 countries.
She has been busy writing and in the Studio ever since. "Screen Doors and Steel Guitars" her sophomore album, was released on May 17, 2019, and has been shared and played all over the world. It is available here, and on iTunes and Google play.
Jerri started 2020 when she took off for Florida to begin her 2020 tour. Already added to the schedule are over 17 states and 50 shows. Including shows with George Strait, Randy Hauser, Jamey Johnson and many others. She recently joined Reba on the stage at the CMA Awards in Nashville, to introduce Dierks Bentley and Sheryl Crow. She was featured on the CMA's and they aired a clip of Jerri and her band performing her song "Won't Be For Nothing".
Jerri is using her music to not only entertain, but to inspire and help her fellow Veterans. She recently partnered with Crown Royal and Thomas Rhett to announce the Purple Bag Project, where they pledge to pack and ship 1 million Crown Royal bags filled with essentials to the military serving over seas.
Album #3 is in the works!
"I began performing for Veterans in the long term care at the VA, and in groups online where we meet to give each other support. They are 100% behind me. That is an amazing feeling." -Jerri
Music Therapy
Although she's always loved to sing, Jerri didn't start learning the guitar until August of 2016, she posts those messy unedited videos for her fans and followers. "I feel that music is therapeutic and everyone should learn to play. I hope that seeing my struggles to learn, and seeing the progress Ive made will encourage others to take the time and spend the time and energy." ~Jerri
The support and love for Hallelujah Veterans Version has been awesome and overwhelming. No one could have hoped or imagined what its become.
"Everyone asks what is next... Where do I go, and what do I write?
That put me under a lot of pressure until I realized the impact this song has had on veterans, and active duty. Mothers are listening and remembering their sons, wives connect better with their combat veterans because of this song, daughters listen to it and remember their dads, and men and women who wear or have worn the uniform listen to it and remember people they have lost.
I can not top this. Nothing I can do will surpass this, not even 50 hits that reach #1 can top this. So the only pressure I have is wondering if I did them justice. So I'll keep writing and making music. As long as they want to listen, Ill keep singing." ~Jerri
Hallelujah Veterans Version
